LINCOLN, Neb. – Students from Bluffs Middle School and Crawford Elementary were among the winners of the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s 2025 Name-a-Snowplow contest, NDOT announced Friday.

The annual contest invites kindergarten through sixth-grade students across the state to submit creative names for NDOT’s snowplows. Winning names are displayed on snowplows across Nebraska and can be tracked in real time using Nebraska 511.

Bluffs Middle School earned recognition in District 5 with the winning name “Edward Blizzardhands,” while Crawford Elementary claimed a district win with the name “Sno’diggity.” Each school received a visit from NDOT maintenance employees, who presented information on snowplow operations and winter driving safety. Students also had the opportunity to see the newly branded snowplow up close and ask questions.

As part of the recognition, the winning students received a miniature snowplow branded with their winning name, along with commemorative Name-a-Snowplow road signs for their school and home.

NDOT officials said the 2025 contest received nearly 4,500 entries statewide, with two winners selected from each of the department’s eight geographic districts. This marks the fifth consecutive year NDOT has hosted the contest.

The agency said the program serves as a way to engage students while teaching them about winter road maintenance and the role snowplows play in keeping Nebraska roads safe during winter weather.

NDOT Awards Grants to 30 Agencies for Holiday DUI Enforcement Campaign

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office has awarded grant funding to 30 law enforcement agencies statewide to support the December “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.

The campaign runs from Dec. 10 through Jan. 1 and is part of a national effort led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reduce impaired driving through high-visibility enforcement.

NDOT officials said participating agencies will increase patrols and DUI enforcement during the holiday season, when impaired driving risks traditionally rise.

“Law enforcement agencies will be expanding their efforts to crack down on impaired driving with this high-visibility enforcement campaign,” NDOT Highway Safety Office Administrator Ryley Egger said. “If you plan to drink, planning a safe ride home is the best gift you can give yourself and those who care about you.”

According to NDOT Highway Safety Office data, Nebraska agencies issued 253 citations for impaired driving during the 2024 version of the campaign. Statewide, 6,318 DUI offenses were recorded last year. The state also logged 203 alcohol-involved crashes, including 44 crashes that resulted in fatal or serious injuries.

NDOT officials encouraged drivers to plan ahead by using a sober driver or rideshare service if alcohol is involved. They also urged the public to intervene if a friend is considering driving after drinking and to report suspected drunk drivers by calling 911 or the Nebraska State Patrol’s *55.

Among the agencies receiving grant funding are the Chadron Police Department, Kimball Police Department, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, and law enforcement agencies across central, eastern and western Nebraska.